The NCAA Division III No. 3-ranked Adrian College men's hockey team improved to 7-0 by beating Saint Mary's University (Minn.) 7-3 Saturday night at Arrington Ice Arena in a non-conference game. Lukas Ciotti had three goals, and Shaquille Merasty two to lead Adrian.

The Bulldogs scored four unanswered goals to break a tie game after the Cardinals (4-3) rallied with two goals in the second period for a 3-3 score.

"We were off our game in the second period," said Bulldogs coach Ron Fogarty. "They came at us in the second with a timely power-play goal and then they slid one by us when we had some confusion behind our net."

Saint Mary's got on the board first, midway through the first period, but the Bulldogs responded with a pair of goals from Merasty and Ciotti to take a 2-1 lead at the first intermission.

Ciotti got his second power-play goal of the game four minutes into the second period to spot the Bulldogs a two-goal cushion at 3-1, but Saint Mary's first got a power-play goal with a two-man advantage with a shot from the left point.

Starting Adrian goalie Scott Shackell appeared to be injured and was replaced by James Hamby midway in the second period. The Cardinals were able to tie the game at 3 when Hamby got caught behind the net with his defense, which allowed Saint Mary's to score into an unguarded net.

It took the Bulldogs less than two minutes to respond as Ciotti netted his third of the night to give the Bulldogs a 4-3 lead after two periods.

"(Duston) Hebebrand, (Kevin) Balas and Ciotti have been playing great for us through seven games," said Fogarty.

The third period was all Adrian, as Zach Graham, Josh Ranalli and Merasty closed out the scoring in a game that was dominated by the Bulldogs, although they had to work for it.

Adrian looked a step quicker and more poised than the pesky Cardinal team.

The Bulldogs were able to control most of the play with precision passing and good positioning to create time and space.

The Bulldogs outshot Saint Mary's 48-21.

Hamby, who was named Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association co-Defensive Player of the Week, was credited with the win.